UNCLE ICHABOD,
FINANCIER AND MONEY LENDER

About three miles from Oak Bluff, in Farm Neck, lived Ichabod Norton the son of Major Peter Norton. Ichabod Norton was born on the farm of his ancestors
December 17, 1761, and died there June 10 1848. Uncle Ichabod as he was known
all over the island was one of the greatest financiers of his day. Because he
was a great money lender he was often called the “Bank of Edgartown”. In time
of want or trouble the sufferer knew that Uncle Ichabod would help him. He was
leberal, firm and just in
all his dealings. The following motto was carved over his fireplace: "Deal
justly; love mercy; and walk humbly with thy God.” He was very hospitable
and the traveler was always made welcome at the “Esquire’s House.” After the
death of his mother in 1804, his sisters Miss Lydia and Miss Martha Norton lived
with him until their deaths in 1815 and 1816. They had a colored servant, who
had deserted a ship in the Vinyard Sound about 1790. His name was John Harry
Monus John Peter Tobirus Peter Toskirus Peter Tubal Cain. They called him “Old
Harry” for short. He never told of his past. He was a devoted servant until
his death about 1845. His only pay for fifty years’ service was a silver dollar
which he wore around his neck on a string. After his death it was stolen by
one of the neighbors. The family always thought that “Old Harry” had run away
from a southern plantation because he was always very polite. One time he was
sent to a cousin of the family to borrow a little pepper, and this is the way
he delivered the message: “My mistresses, the Miss Lydia and Miss Martha Norton,
send their respects to their cousin Mrs. Rebecca Norton and family, and hope
that they find themselves well, and that they can easily lend a little pepper.”
Harry refused to sleep in a bed, but every night he would place his mattress
near Uncle Ichabod’s door so as to protect him. A man who had lost a horse by
death came to Uncle Ichabod with a petition for help. The petition read as follows:
“The Almighty having seen fit to take from this poor man his only beast of burden,
we the undersigned are willing to help him secure another.” After reading it
the Esquire passed it back to the man saying: “The Almighty might see fit to
take away the new horse and all my fortune couldn’t keep you in horses.” A few
days later the man returned with a new petition and passed it to the Esquire,
who said: “Seeing that you and the Almighty have been in communication and have
come to some understanding, I will help you this time.” Before he left he gave
the man five dollars. As time passed on Uncle Ichabod amassed a fortune of fifty-two
thousand dollars. As fate would have it, he was blessed with fifty-two heirs.

A QUEER RECEPTACLE
FOR DRYING BEANS

While one of his nephews from Farmington, Maine was visiting him Ichabod was
taken suddenly ill and was afraid that he wouldn’t live, so he sent the nephew
to Mr. Peakes, a cabinet maker at Vineyard Haven, to order a mahogany coffin.
The nephew, thinking that he should hve some reward for his walk to Vineyard
Haven, ordered a mahogany dining table, charging it to Uncle Ichabod. Although
the old man recovered within a few days Mr Peakes brought over the coffin and
table. The Esquire was much pleased with the coffin and complimented the maker,
but what about the table? Mr. Peakes told the story and the nephew was called
in. He made all kinds of excuses but they wouldn’t hold, so the nephew finally
said that a coffin should have a suitable support. Uncle Ichabod paid fifty
silver dollars for the coffin and twenty- five for the table. He said nothing
more to the nephew. At that time Mrs. Mary Kidder, a niece, happened in and
Ichabod said to her: “Mary, do you want a mahogany table? If so, take that one
and get it home as soon as the devil will let you.” Later the table came into
the possession of her son, Dr. Benjamin H. Kidder, U.S.N., and at his death
it went to his widow. The coffin was kept a number of years in the spare chamber
to dry beans in until it was used for its original purpose. A well-to-do
old maid from Chilmark used to come to Uncle Ichabod for advice regarding her
property. She was considered the plainest woman in Chilmark, and to add to her
facial beauty she had a full beard. One day when she came to see Uncle
Ichabod she seemed very nervous, and finally told the old man that she had received
a proposal. The Esquire looked at her and said: “Debby, does he
want you or your property? Oh! Esquire Norton, how could you ask such
a question? He wants me, my person, for he told me so.” Debby married
the man. A year later she came to Uncle Ichabod with a great story regarding
her husband’s treatment. He had secured her property and driven her out
of her house. A few years before his death Uncle Ichabod told his relatives
that if any of them wished to have their share of his estate before his death
they could have it. In this way he made over three thousand dollars on
his own estate. This money he used for charity. The Town of Edgartown
has a fund for the “worthy poor” started from the money obtained in this way.
When Ichabod died many of his heirs who had cashed in on their share thought
that they could come in again for more. Here is the epitaph that one of the
disappointed heirs wrote for his stone:

“Here
lies old Twelve-and-a-half per cent. The more he had the less he spent; The
more he had the more he craved. Oh! Lord, can Ichabod be saved?

Uncle Ichabod was ahead of them for he had had his monument set up and marked
with the following inscription before his death: “His house was open to travelers,
and his hand ever open for the benefit of others. He arrived at a good
old age, was at last gathered to his fathers. His noblest of mottoes,
an Honest Man. Endeared to his fellow-beings by firmness and fidelity
in public affairs, and his honesty in all his private dealings. By prudence
and economy he amassed a large fortune, which he wisely distributed for the
benefit of his friends and relatives.” A memorial service was held
for him at Farmington, Maine, and one of the attendants wrote to a relative
on the Vineyard: “The devil never looked on a happier set of mourners.